Infrastructure Improvements make one area of Costa Rica in high demand for expats
The southern Pacific region of Costa Rica is often regarded as the nicest part of the country but has also been the hardest part of the country to get to. Until now…
Background: The region around the Osa Peninsula is often compared to the Galapagos Islands. This area is home to more lowland forest than anywhere else on the entire Pacific coast. The largest mangrove wetlands can be found here as well as the largest native colony of Macaws. There are towering trees, scenic waterfalls and sweeping sandy beaches. A dizzying amount of the world’s biodiversity can be found in this area of Costa Rica. In fact Costa Rica contains twice the number of species than the entire United States while the US contains over 200 times more land. Though only 3% of the land area of Costa Rica, the Osa region in the southern Pacific contains over 50% of animal and plant species of the entire country.
History: Over 20 years ago, a small enclave of expats formed a community just north of the Osa Peninsula in the towns of Ojochal and Tres Rios de Coronado. The development grew primarily by word of mouth attracting North Americans to this spectacular part of the country. But getting there was not an easy task. The inland route, the Cerro de la Muerte (translation is “passage of death”) traversed a mountain ridge high in the clouds, topping 11,000 feet in certain places. The coastal route required numerous river crossings as well as a trek over 20 miles of unpaved road. These challenges made the area largely unvisited. There was the option of taking a small commuter flight from San Jose but upon arrival to the region rental cars were hard to find and taxi service was not readily available.
Recent Changes: In January of 2009 two new highways were finally completed, the Caldera highway stretchin from San Jose to the Pacific coast and the Costanera connecting Quepos to Dominical. These improvements made the drive from San Jose to the southern region an attractive three hour drive through some of the most scenic parts of the country. This area is home to Pacific Lots, the largest and oldest residential development for expats in the region
Hold the Presses: (Oct. 15, 2010, Costa Rica) President Laura Chinchilla announced this week high priority on the 35 million dollar southern regional international airport construction project. Chinchilla said construction will start in 2012 to put in the international airport. Environmental studies and other preliminary work has been done on the site located between Palmar Sur and Sierpe and the administration said money for this project will come from the Dirección General de Aviación Civil, the national budget and an allocation the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes received from the International Civil Aviation Organization. This location is about a 30 minute drive from Pacific Lots!
About the development: Pacific Lots development stands alone as a haven for expats. Now in its 21st year, this project consists of 19 phases set in a mountain backdrop with expansive ocean views. Each phase features home sites with artesian spring water to each lot as well as extensive roads (gravel) and electricity throughout. Internet service, phone service and satellite TV is readily available. The North Americans and Europeans living here are blessed with abundant water, being sculpted into prior rain forest that had been cut away years ago as cattle farming was introduced to the area. Now many of these farms have been developed into residential properties. The area is greener now than before as farmers have come to realize that cattle doesn’t do well in the terrain and weren’t very good for the environment.
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Escape From America Magazine
What Makes the Osa Peninsula So Special?
